Keep reading for today’s look at #OpenGov news, events and analysis including a notable retirement, Canadian open data, and lots of news out of California.

National News

• Fallout from the recent Washington Post story on OPM’s inefficient retirement processing system continued last week. A Bipartisan group of Senators sent a letter to OPM calling the agency out for its continued failure to modernize. Meanwhile, reforming the problem doesn’t seem likely to gain much traction in Congress. (Government Executive, Roll Call)
• Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, announced on that he will not be seeking reelection in the fall. Rogers, a staunch supporter of the NSA and controversial legislation like CISPA, will join a talk radio network upon his retirement. (Ars Technica)

International News

• The Canadian government is turning to entrepreneurs and hackers in an effort to make use of the country’s data. Earlier this month, they held a two day hackathon, which sprouted over 100 apps built with Canadian open data.  (Global News Canada)

State and Local News

• The California State Senate voted to suspend three of its members on Friday. The three, all Democrats, are facing charges in separate criminal cases. (New York Times)
• The California State Lands Commission is opening up their financial data using the OpenGov.com platform. Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his hope that other agencies will follow the Commission’s lead. (Government Technology)

Events This Week 3/31 – 4/4

• Does aid undermine accountability? Evidence from Bangladesh. Center for Global Development. Mon. 3/31. 12:00 – 1:30. 2055 L Street NW, 5th floor, Washington, DC 20036.
• Management Matters: Getting a better government. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Mon. 3/31. 3:00 pm. 342 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
• The tension between academic freedom and state open records laws. Is there a need for re-examination? George Washington Law. Tues. 4/1. 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. 805 21st Street NW, Jack Morton Auditorium, Washington, DC 20052.
• No Fear: A whistleblowers triumph over corruption and retaliation at the EPA. Woman’s National Democratic Club. Thurs. 4/3. 11:30 am – 2:00 pm. 1526 New Hampshire Ave, NW, Washington, DC.
• President Obama’s trade policy agenda. House Committee on Ways and Means. Thurs. 4/3. 9:30 am. 1100 Longworth House Office Building.
• President Obama’s trade policy Agenda. Senate Committee on Finance. Thurs. 4/3. 2:00 pm. 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
• Afghanistan: Identifying and addressing wasteful government spending. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security. Thurs. 4/3. 10:00 am. 2247 Rayburn House Office Building.
• Trials in transparency II: Is VA responding to Congressional requests in a timely manner? House Committee on Veterans Affairs. Thurs. 4/3. 10:00 am. 334 Cannon House Office Building.
• 4/04 Day: Lawmaking in the open. Congressional Data Coalition. Fri. 4/4. 10:30 – 12:00 pm. 1310 Longworth House Office Building.
• 4/04 Day Happy Hour. Congressional Data Coalition. Fri. 4/4. 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. The Loft, 600 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001. 

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